CVE-2025-66090
📋 TL;DR
This DOM-based XSS vulnerability in the SKT Skill Bar WordPress plugin allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. It affects all WordPress sites using SKT Skill Bar plugin versions up to and including 2.5. Attackers can exploit this to steal session cookies, redirect users, or perform actions on their behalf.
💻 Affected Systems
- SKT Skill Bar WordPress Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator session cookies, take over WordPress sites, install backdoors, deface websites, or redirect visitors to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers steal user session cookies, perform actions as authenticated users, or redirect users to phishing pages.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, the vulnerability would be prevented, limiting impact to non-existent.
🎯 Exploit Status
DOM-based XSS typically requires user interaction but can be exploited through crafted links. No authentication required for exploitation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 2.5
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'SKT Skill Bar' and check for updates. 4. Update to latest version (above 2.5). 5. Clear any caching plugins or CDN caches.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the SKT Skill Bar plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate skt-skill-bar
Content Security Policy
allImplement CSP headers to restrict script execution
Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "script-src 'self'"
Add to nginx config: add_header Content-Security-Policy "script-src 'self'";
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the SKT Skill Bar plugin completely and use alternative skill bar functionality
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads targeting this plugin
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for SKT Skill Bar version. If version is 2.5 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get skt-skill-bar --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is above 2.5 in WordPress admin panel. Test skill bar functionality to ensure it still works properly.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST/GET requests to skill bar endpoints
- Suspicious JavaScript payloads in request logs
- Multiple failed XSS attempts
Network Indicators:
- Requests containing script tags or JavaScript events in skill bar parameters
- Unusual outbound connections after visiting skill bar pages
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (uri="*skt-skill-bar*" AND (content="<script>" OR content="javascript:" OR content="onerror=" OR content="onload="))